What would happen if you encountered a primordial black hole? A recent study by Robert Scherrer, a physicist at Vanderbilt University, dives into this intriguing question. The takeaway? While a large primordial black hole could be harmful, the chances of such an event happening are extremely slim.
Primordial black holes are theoretical cosmic phenomena that may have formed just after the Big Bang. Some scientists propose that these black holes could explain dark matter, which makes up about 85% of the universe’s mass. Their sizes could vary widely, from as small as a paperclip to as massive as a hundred thousand suns.
Scherrer previously explored how strange entities like dark matter could potentially impact human health. In this recent work, he applied some of those findings to primordial black holes. He was motivated in part by a fascination with black holes and even a science fiction tale from the ’70s that piqued his curiosity about their effects.
In his study, Scherrer examined the danger posed by two significant gravitational phenomena: supersonic shock waves and tidal forces.
When an object moves faster than sound, it creates cone-shaped shock waves. According to Scherrer, these shock waves could inflict damage on human tissue similar to that of a bullet. On the flip side, tidal forces arise from differences in gravitational strength and can break apart cells—especially vulnerable brain cells.
Still, there’s a silver lining. Scherrer emphasizes that while these black holes might exist theoretically, their actual presence is highly improbable. A sizeable black hole, akin to an asteroid, could indeed harm you if it passed by, acting like a bullet. However, smaller ones could pass right through without any noticeable impact. The key takeaway? The density of primordial black holes is so low that encountering one is nearly impossible.
A note on public perception: reactions on social media often mix fascination with fear, reflecting our love for mystery in the universe. Many users engage with posts about black holes and dark matter, drawn by the allure of cosmic exploration.
In conclusion, there’s no need to worry about primordial black holes affecting your life. Instead, focus on more relatable concerns, like the challenges of everyday living. For more information on dark matter and black holes, you can explore trustworthy sources such as NASA and the European Space Agency.
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